Madeleine Urban

"This Thanksgiving, be grateful for China Bayles--who teams up with an old friend to solve a complex case of theft and murder in a South Texas ranching community..."--

Ten years after graduation, Jake "the jock" Campbell and Brandon "the nerd" Bartlett are teaching at their old high school and still living in separate worlds. When Brandon is thrown into a coaching job on Jake's baseball team, they find themselves learning more about each other than they'd ever expected. High school is all about image, even for the teachers. Brandon and Jake have to get past their preconceived notions to find the friendship needed to work together. And somewhere along the way, they discover that perceptions can always change for the better.

Being snowed in isn't so bad when you're on vacation with your two best friends. And when Kasey reveals he's a gay romance author, the vacation takes a turn for the steamier. Mitch already knows all about it, being bisexual, but Warren, Warren hasn't got a clue ... until he watches Mitch help Kasey with "research" for his next novel and starts seeing snow melt.

Cameron Jacobs is an open book. He considers himself a common waiter with normal friends, boring hobbies, harmless dogs, and nothing even resembling a secret... except a crush on a tall, dark, devastatingly handsome man who dines alone at his restaurant on Tuesday nights. All it takes is one passionate night with Julian Cross to turn Cameron's world on its head. Julian's love and devotion are all Cameron could have hoped for and more. But when his ordinary life meets and clashes with Julian's extraordinary lifestyle, Cameron discovers that trust and fear can go hand in hand, and love is just a step away from danger.

A pair of working man novellas from the authors of Caught Running. Under Contract The last thing Nick Cooper expects is for his boss, construction site foreman Ted Lucas, to insanely declare his love right after he finds out Cooper has asked to be transferred. Intrigued, Cooper offers him one night, figuring the "love" will burn out after sex, but it goes far better than either expect. Lucas's chance comes when an accident leaves Cooper stuck and hurting at home. Lucas does his best to take care of him while hoping Cooper will fall in love with him in return, and Cooper discovers the idea of having Lucas in his life isn't that crazy after all. Over the Road Truck driver Elliot Cochran meets "McLean" while talking on the CB and strikes up an unusual friendship comprised of short telephoned rants and long overnight discussions. One evening, McLean tells Elliot he needs to lighten up and go find some companionship, and so Elliot meets Jimmy Vaughan—and has one of the best nights in his life. Before long Elliot faces a decision about sharing his life and building a future: Does he choose to love McLean, the best friend he's never met, or Jimmy, the man who thrills him beyond belief?

When Leonard bumps into the elegant Camden at the airport, he doesn't expect tea and sympathy from a stranger. He expects even less the invitation to dinner... and more... but decides that he just can't refuse Camden's hospitality.

My Funny Valentine Dianne Williams needs a man. But only for a night. The night of the community center Valentine dinner, to be precise. Exasperated by her children's relentless efforts to get her a date, Dianne finds herself approaching a handsome stranger named Steve and making him an outrageous offer. An offer he doesn't refuse. An offer that might lead to more than just one night.My Hero Bailey York needs a man. But only on paper. She's writing a romance novel and she's having difficulty creating a hero. So she needs a real-life model for her story. Parker Davidson is perfect, everything a hero should be. But he wants to become the hero in her life, not just her book. And not just on Valentine's Day, either!

All Alan wants is a little escape from his daily life as a house husband and father, and his favorite mystery novels provide it. But after a vicious showdown over the books with his strident and controlling wife, his headlong flight takes him into the path of an oncoming car. But it's not Alan who wakes up in the hospital—it's Terrence Man of Mystery, a drifter who makes his way by taking advantage of the kindness of others. His escape takes him from Los Angeles to New York with the help of a handsome meal ticket, Jared. Terrence and Jared’s deal to exchange sex for transport moves them along from the tables in Vegas to relaxing spas and fancy hotels, and while Jared finds himself falling in love, Terrence knows somehow that it has to end... and when it does, who will survive the clash of his two worlds? The brave, outgoing Terrence? Or quiet, withdrawn Alan?

Gay Erotic Short Stories about cowboys and gamblers from all over the world and throughout time. Serengeti by Madeleine Urban Welcome to Africa, the dark continent, home to the Serengeti rangers of Dawn Camp. All save one, who comes and goes with each hunting season, leaving passion, friendship, and intimacy in his wake. Ten years pass and the pattern changes, putting four men on a crash course with either happiness or heartbreak. Poker Face by Dar Mavison Sneaking out of town after a poker game, Joe and Frank ride on together to the next town and find themselves stuck in a monsoon, holed up in a small hotel room. Passing the time by sleeping, telling stories, and sharing each other's bodies, Joe teaches Frank that facing up to your past is the key to facing your future. Rendezvous by Catt Ford Driven to a near-solitary existence in the high mountains in order to hide his "unnatural" nature, Jack lives alone, scared to venture out. Dragged down to a Rendezvous by his one friend, he stumbles across Stony and discovers pleasure at his hands - but will his horrible past experiences keep him from trying for a happier future? Fancy Pants by Connie Bailey Cardsharp Bayr never loses at cards. But he also plays The Game, over and over, looking for a man to meet his tastes, to hold his attention, to be his perfect match. When uneducated cowpoke Dash sits down at his table, The Game starts again. The River Flows South by John Simpson Gerard Dupont books passage on the "Cotton Queen," determined to have a good time on his trip down the Mississippi, but nothing is a given. His options for companionship are limited, until he meets dandy gentleman Dexter Freemont, and his trip starts looking up. Back in the Saddle by D. G. Parker After his horse goes lame, Obediah Watson lucks across the Bar Jay Ranch and finds himself employed. He also finds himself the object of boss Ben Johnson's attention, attention he sure doesn't mind returning until the trouble comes when his horse is all healed up. Obie realizes he's changed so much he doesn't recognize himself, and he has to decide if he really belongs at the Bar Jay.

"Whether it takes the form of physical violence or verbal or online harassment, bullying can have serious and lasting effects. In this book, teens write about these effects from the perspective of victim, bully and, in some cases, both. In their stories, victims of bullying show just how damaging this often-overlooked form of violence can be, and the steps they took to get help and feel better. And writers who have been the bullies reveal themselves in a way that will give readers a better understanding of this pattern of violence"--Page 4 of cover.

It was a routine December weekday in Redmon’s as Eli set up a holiday display of dessert fixings. Then a man comes in and makes an on-the-fly special order for fruit and cheese. Eli fills the order and forgets about it … until the man comes back with another order the next week. And the next. And the next …

Rentboys, strippers, hookers, and porn stars-these men are making a buck the hard way. This is Sindustry, where a quick fuck is more likely than a romantic kiss. But while they face the harsh light of reality every day, unexpected love finds them in all sorts of crazy ways. Take a look at Sindustry from the outside in, because for these guys, happily ever after is just around the corner. Stories included are: Reluctant by Rhianne Aile & Madeleine Urban Stripped Bare by S. Blaise Boomerang by Rachelle Cochran Fun and Games by Lenore Black How Could I Not by Jamie Freeman The Frost Affair by Sasha Skye The Stripper and the Hairdresser by Bethany Brown A Muse by Zahra Owens Fin de Siecle by S. Reesa Herberth Chat Line by Clare London As Beauty Does by JL Merrow The Four Seasons by Diana Copland

Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are back on the job, settled into a personal and professional relationship built on fierce protectiveness and blistering passion. Now they're assigned to impersonate two members of an international smuggling ring-an out-and-proud married couple-on a Christmas cruise in the Caribbean. As their boss says, surely they'd rather kiss each other than be shot at, and he has no idea how right he is. Portraying the wealthy criminals requires a particular change in attitude from Ty and Zane while dealing with the frustrating waiting game of their assignment. As it begins to affect how they treat each other in private, Ty and Zane realize there's more to being partners than watching each other's backs, and when the case takes an unexpected turn and threatens Ty's life, Ty and Zane will have to navigate seas of white lies and stormy secrets, including some of their own.

Businessman Jameson Hall hired a man to take care of his beloved gardens because he worked too much to keep them up himself. When he arrives home after a long trip, it’s to grounds completely changed. At first upset with the gardener, Jameson is soon swayed by the handsome Victor into appreciating nature in a whole new way.

Dak, Sera, and Riq might be in over their heads when they attempt to stop a Viking invasion of medieval Paris.

Best buddies Cary, Aaron and Nolan were three peas in a pod – except when it came to sex. When Nolan goes off on his own to a disastrous first time with another man, his two friends join together to help heal his wounded pride, replace his painful memories, and hopefully capture his heart.

Three cowhands chase and corral ones in this zany book about the Wild West.

Five novella length tales of love that overcomes all obstacles - even death. Ink: The Tale of a Vampire in Melbourne by Isabelle Rowan After too long alone, Dominic enters a tattoo parlor, desperate to find a way to reconnect to life. He meets Michael, an artist who evokes feelings and needs Dominic knows are dangerous. But those emotions and the allure of the handsome human intoxicate Dominic as much as the blood that keeps him alive, and he finds that he - usually the hunter - just can't resist giving in to his prey. After the Storm by Chrissy Munder Angry and frustrated with his chronic illness, Vincent Poulsen moves into an old lighthouse to live out the few days he has left. After a dangerous collapse, he meets the ghostly Captain Cason, who shares stories of his distant past. I n the process, Vincent stumbles over the tragedy that binds the captain to the lighthouse and his haunted memories. Then fate offers them both a chance to change the future. for better or for worse. Revenant by Connie Bailey When Bo Andressen and his salvage crew contract a job in a crumbling castle, they walk into a mystery of murder, intrigue, hidden treasure and greed that has its roots in the far past. Ghosts are only the first suspected danger - the crew, local constable Gavin Gilroy, castle owner Sir Rhys Turcotte and psychic Tristan Andrews have to find out who of a more earthly nature is involved, before more people fall victim to an ancient spectre who seeks to rejoin and conquer the mortal world. Seeing Is Believing by Abigail Roux Scott Cunningham has a ghost problem, a problem that requires a specialized touch. Enter Zacharias, Leo, and Andy - professionals, if you will - in solving said problems. But solutions don't always come easy, and if Zacharias and his crew can't get the job done, someone innocent might get hurt. Bittersweet by Madeleine Urban His business failing and his marriage floundering, Harrison Holden is falling apart. To make things worse, he wakes one morning to see Piers Claybrook, a man he rescued after a car crash the night before, standing in front of him - the same Piers he'd seen dead in the hospital. Now a ghost, Piers believes he's with Harrison to make a difference in the other man's life, and it's up to the two of them to find the key to living - and dying - and how to walk the line in between without being separated by it.

A collection of three m/m sci-fi novellas: Following the Sun - The nearly fatal crash of their spacecraft leaves Jack and Samuel stranded on a verdant planet far from civilization. Discovered and sheltered by a native tribe, the two resign themselves to new lives - lives that include a new culture, a new language, and even new love. But their new home isn't at all what it seems, and when war and illness strike, they find out just how far from home they are. Close Encounter - Space privateer Tris is just doing his job - delivering canisters to a military science vessel - when he discovers that he is transporting people infected with an engineered virus designed to exterminate the human race. In the midst of an alien attack, can the rogue pilot save patient Retter - the key to the cure? Or will he lose both humanity's salvation and his heart? Enhanced - In Earth's not-too-far future, a talented scientist stumbles over a plot to use the genetically enhanced military to declare martial law and take over the government. Dr. Ryne Siler enlists his friend, Dr. Cary Matthews, a brilliant engineer, to figure out how to stop it. When the investigation goes awry, they're on the run, and the only thing between them and capture is a hidden cache of sleeping soldiers with enhancements of their own. Ryne and Cary are desperate, but will waking these soldiers help - or just make things worse?

Seeking first-time riding lessons in the rolling hills of Connecticut, Gerald Saunders is pleased to discover Sutcliffe Cove. The current proprietor, Brett Sutcliffe, welcomes the beginner, and Gerald quickly finds a home away from home at the farm as he spends more and more time volunteering there. Over the course of a few months, Gerald and Brett build a strong friendship, but it's not until Gerald is off on vacation that the two men realize their friendship could be so much more... sexually satisfying, emotionally intimate, or even warmly loving. But Gerald is so laid back, Brett just isn't sure what to do next. Move forward and deepen their relationship? Or back off and just be friends with benefits?